SEA GAMES (Quarterfinals)

PHILIPPINES VS. THAILAND

Badminton Men’s Singles
The badminton competitions of 2019 Southeast Asian Games was held at Muntinlupa
Sports Complex. As what I have researched, it was a badminton singles play of Philippines vs. Thailand
(Quarterfinals). The game between Philippines and Thailand was really intensed and there was so
many audience that are fully support on our players. Although our player obviously nervous that time
but I think he really tried to focus on the game because he’s representing our country, the Philippines.
Their game was so amazing, it is because they really showed their hidden skills that I have never seen
yet. Especially the techniques that showed by the player of Thailand.

In the first set of the game, the representative of Thailand was the one who served first but
the representative of the Philippines who got the score first. The first set was a good game for the
Philippines at first but the player of Thailand strategy gave Philippines an amount of pressure in his
movement. Thailand’s strategy was to apply maximum movement pressure to him, whenever the
player of Thailand return his attack he forces him to cover the distance rapidly and change directions.
At this stage, the representative of the Philippines was also pressured due to the large gap of their
score. The representative of Thailand showed a great tactic in this set, one of it was winning a rally
with a net kill. When he consistently returned the attack of Philippines on the left corner on the short
service line leading the player of the Philippines to always use backhand forward footwork. After
playing a very tight net shot, and when he was ready to leap forwards, he gave the player of
Philippines a net kill to an open space where Philippines will not be able to swing his racquet quickly.
It was an intense start, the representative lost the first set with a score of 11 and the representative of
Thailand won and ended it with his last powerful smash.
If you have noticed in the game, the player that represents Thailand can smoothly move
from the back to the front because of his footwork. This is how important the footwork is, that’s why
the player representing the Philippines usually doesn’t get the shuttle, it’s because of his footwork. It
can affect his speed or agility in playing the game. In the second set, the first one who served and
scored was the player of Thailand . Since they exchange court and the player of the Philippines was in
the right side, I was able to see clearly his techniques and skills. I realized that he has a great defense,
when they were in a rally especially when they were close to the net the player of the Philippines
would execute defensive clear shot wherein the shuttle go up high in the air and land at the
opponents backcourt. He used it to buy more time to return to base before the next return, it is all
strategic since they were playing a rally near the four-court, forcing the player of Thailand to retract to
the back to retrieve the shuttle which also got the player of the Philippines a point. I was also amazed
on how he managed to return some of the powerful smash of his opponent, I could say that quick
reflex was one of his strength. Back to the point, the second set was more intense for the player of the
Philippines because if the Thailand win this set, he will not be able to proceed to the semi-finals. I
think the player of the Philippines was pressured once more when the score gap gradually increased
again and this somehow affects his play.

Ros Leonard Pedrosa represented his very own homeland, the Philippines. Although he
lost to Thailand, it is still inevitable that this player also has some astonishing technical and tactical
skills that deserve to be recognized more. As observed, he utilized defensive skills which have been
very essential in his survival in the game despite of being under attacked by his opponent. Moreover,
his gripping technique is also exceptional. Obviously, it helps him in increasing the range of shots and
producing more efficient hits. Overall, he is a really good badminton player, however, he tends to be
very tensed and nervous while playing to the point that it holds back his full power from showcasing,
probably the reason as to why he lost. Kantaphon Wangcharoen whose representing Thailand has
some astounding technical and tactical skills. As what I have observed, he greatly utilized the
badminton forehand shots, however, amongst all of them , his badminton jump smash is probably the
most exceptional to see. I’ve already seen numerous skillful badminton players who’ve mastered the
said skill, but this player stands out the most amongst them. The way the player of Thailand shoots
from a high point and travels down steeply towards his opponent is just spectacular. This skill has
been used by the player mainly for his attacking, and has served as his winning shot in the game.
Moreover, he also used backhand drop shot which has powerfully countered his opponent attacks,
immensely aiding to his own triumph.

REFLECTION:
I was really amazed on how the player representing Thailand execute the basic skills and as I
have observed, he was really well trained which makes him can identify when to execute each of
them, reason for him to win the game. Although there are times that his emotions may disrupt him in
executing them, but he still regains them back again. While the player of the Philippines gave his nice
shot as well, but I think, he needs more training when it comes to technical skills because his
execution of the basic skills is wrong. Especially when it comes to doing the basic skills simultaneously.
I am a little bit disappointed for not investing of the Philippines in our players, reason why he’s not
executing the basic skills well. I believe that our player has the capabilities, its just that the training is
not enough because he executed the basic skills wrong as well as there are a lot of times that the
player is not able to control his strength on the racquet, sometimes it goes the net or even out of the
court. I felt sad for our representative because while I was watching their game, I’ve noticed that he
can’t also hit the shuttle a lot of times because of his footwork and stance. This makes me realized
how important the basic skills are in making you score in the game. The player of Thailand was really
good, the reason why he makes me enjoyed their game. Whenever the pacing of the game is slow, he
makes it slow for a bit then suddenly smashes the shuttle making the opponent not be able to react
that quickly because of the sudden change of pacing of the game. In the first set, the player’s move is
predictable but in the second set, the player representing the Philippines was able to know how to
react to his smash, he started to make his moves unpredictable. Knowing his opponent’s weaknesses
and strengths during the game can be a very big help, the player is an absolute genius if you have
noticed because studying the game takes time but with him after the opposing player got the
technique after one or two losses, he changed his tactics. The player in the Philippines needs more
training from the experts so that he will be able to know what to do next on his move quickly and
respond to the smashes or shots from the other player. After watching the game, I was so impressed
with their skills in playing badminton eventhough then, I’m not too much interested watching this
sports but still I was enjoyed a lot on the game. Although we lost that game, we should still be
grateful for Pedrosa because he represented our country and most especially he did his very best on
the game.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS:
1.) How did you find the game?
 I find the game interesting to watch, especially the techniques and skills that the player of
Thailand executes. At first, I expected that the game was boring but suddenly I have noticed
how nice there shots is. Even their footwork, it was so impressive and also I have observed
that they really did their best in the game.
2.) Why this sport is extremely physical demanding?
 Badminton is extremely physical demanding it is because it has a lots of health benefits such
as improves our mental well-being, heart health, helps reduce health risks, increased life
expectancy and improve mobility. Badminton is a total body workout. If you’re looking to
switch-up your usual fitness regime and get away from the gym, badminton can be a fantastic
alternative. It provides a heart-racing workout, some great health benefits and can be played
socially, as well as competitively.
3.) Is there any wrong-called fault or error in awarding a point?
 I don’t think there will be an error in awarding a point or even wrong-called fault because as
what I have observed, the court was surrounded by referees, line judge, umpire etc. and I
think they will make the game fair.
4.) What is the common fault foul committed by both players?
 Based on what I have observed on the game, I think the common fault foul committed by both
players are hitting the shuttle out and touching the court lines.

NAME: Kristina L. Lanza

SECTION: UI-FB1-GR11-4
CLASS NUMBER: 04-2021-03556
SUBJECT: COR 018 ( Physical Education )
TEACHER: Mrs. Christy V. Padrones